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Call of the law

Judges urge Madonna, Ritchie to resolve custody battle over son

Reuters March 23, 2016

Madonna and Ritchie tied the knot on December 22, 2000. PHOTO: FILE

LONDON: A British judge made a fresh plea to Madonna and her ex-husband Guy Ritchie on Monday, urging them to work out an amicable solution to the custody battle over their teenage son.

The Material Girl singer and Sherlock Holmes director — whose litigation over 15-year-old Rocco has been taking place in New York and London — divorced in 2008, agreeing the child would live with Madonna. But since late last year, Rocco has been in London living with Guy. In fact, back in December, he ignored a New York court order to return to the United States and stay with his mother. Madonna issued legal proceedings in the British capital but later sought to withdraw them.

At Monday’s hearing — which neither parent attended — Judge Justice Alistair MacDonald granted the singer permission to end the proceedings in Britain and appealed to both sides to settle the matter, according to a transcript of his judgment. “At the root of these proceedings is a temporary breakdown in trust. For all the media coverage, comment and analysis, this is a case born out of circumstances that arise for countless separated parents the world over,” he said. “I renew, one final time, my plea for the parents to seek and find an amicable resolution to the dispute between them. It would be a very great tragedy for Rocco if any more of the precious and fast-receding days of his childhood were to be taken up by this dispute.”

The appeal echoes that of Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Deborah Kaplan, who also urged both sides to work together and resolve the dispute earlier this month. A hearing in New York has been set for June 1.

Madonna wrapped up her Rebel Heart world tour recently with shows in Sydney. Rocco had traveled with her for the tour’s initial stages, working backstage. He also toured with the singer in 2012.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2016.

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